Nadine Potatoes: Salad Potato Growing Guide

Nadine potatoes are a popular salad potato variety known for their smooth skin, uniform shape, and excellent flavour. They are easy to grow in UK gardens and allotments and are especially valued for producing clean, evenly sized tubers that are ideal for boiling and salads.

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What Are Nadine Potatoes?

Nadine is a second early potato variety with white skin and creamy white flesh. It has a firm, waxy texture that holds together well when cooked, making it perfect for salads and light summer dishes. Nadine potatoes are also known for their good resistance to common scab, which helps produce clean-looking tubers.

They are best eaten fresh and are not suitable for long-term storage.

When to Plant Nadine Potatoes

In the UK, Nadine potatoes are usually planted:

• Late March to early April, once the soil is workable and not waterlogged

Chitting seed potatoes before planting is recommended to encourage faster emergence and stronger early growth.

How to Grow Nadine Potatoes

Soil Preparation

Nadine potatoes prefer fertile, well-drained soil. Improve the soil before planting by digging in well-rotted compost or organic matter. Avoid very dry or alkaline soil to reduce the risk of scab.

Planting Depth and Spacing

• Plant seed potatoes 10–15 cm deep
• Space plants 30 cm apart
• Leave 60 cm between rows

Nadine also performs well in raised beds and large containers.

Earthing Up

As shoots appear, gradually earth up soil around the stems. This protects developing tubers from light and helps improve yields.

Watering

Water regularly, especially during dry spells and when tubers are forming. Consistent moisture is important to maintain tuber size and reduce scab.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertiliser at planting time. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage leaf growth at the expense of tuber development.

Growing Nadine Potatoes in Containers

Nadine potatoes are well suited to container growing:

• Use containers at least 40–45 cm deep
• Fill with free-draining compost
• Earth up gradually as plants grow
• Water consistently, as containers dry out faster than garden soil

When to Harvest Nadine Potatoes

Nadine potatoes are usually ready to harvest:

• 13–15 weeks after planting

Harvest when plants are flowering or have just finished flowering. Tubers should be medium-sized with thin skins.

How to Harvest Nadine Potatoes

• Gently loosen soil with a fork
• Lift carefully to avoid damaging skins
• Harvest as needed rather than lifting the entire crop at once

Nadine potatoes are best eaten soon after harvesting.

Common Problems When Growing Nadine Potatoes

• Dry soil, which can increase scab risk
• Slug damage in damp conditions
• Blight risk is lower due to early harvest but still possible in wet summers

Good spacing, even watering, and crop rotation help reduce problems.

Best Uses for Nadine Potatoes

Nadine potatoes are ideal for:

• Salads
• Boiling
• Steaming
• New potatoes with butter and herbs

They are not suitable for mash, roasting, or long-term storage due to their waxy texture.

Why Grow Nadine Potatoes?

• Excellent salad potato texture
• Clean, uniform tubers
• Reliable second early harvest
• Easy to grow in UK conditions
• Performs well in containers and raised beds

Tips for Best Results

• Always chit seed potatoes before planting
• Keep soil evenly moist
• Earth up well
• Harvest promptly for best flavour and appearance